I Think Therefore I Am

Quote: Ivan Panin

"What we think,

we become.

All that we are arises

with our thoughts.

With our thoughts,

we make the world."

-Buddha

Must Eat More Pasta

Sophia Loren at home in Naples, 1955 from the Estate of David Seymour

“Everything you see

I owe to spaghetti.”
―Sophia Loren

A Special Love Story

The Riga and Simonetti families were all friends in Italy. Though both families immigrated to America, miles and time separated the two. The Riga's had a daughter named Jeanette and the Simonetti's had a son named Albert. When Albert (Al as he is known) visited California, the Riga's invited him to dinner. That evening he met the love of his life, Jeanette (known as Jean).

As the story goes it was not love at first sight for Jean. But Al did not give up and a few years later they began to date and eventually he won her heart. They were married on April 23rd, 1950 at St. Barnabas church in Long Beach. This setting for the marriage was especially significant for the Riga family as Jean's parents, Frank & Elizabeth were founding members of the church. As their family grew the church continued to be a significant place for Jean and Al. Four of their children and two grandsons went to school and graduated from St. Barnabas and their daughter Nancy took her wedding vows in the same sanctuary as Al and Jean had done years earlier.

Jean and Al's love for each other was priceless. Every look, every gesture, every little gleam in their eyes was for one another. Theirs was the perfect role model for a good marriage...58 years together was an inspiration to all who knew them. In the years prior to her passing she gave fully of her services to her family, friends and to her beloved church. Among the many hats she wore was that of planner for the Seniors activities. This included field trips to plays, museums, various places of interest and to Laughlin Nevada.

Last February, St. Barnabas school created the "Jean Simonetti Education Foundation" in her honor for her life long dedication to fund raising for the church, school and religious education program.

Now there was something that Al wanted to do for his beloved wife. Something that would honor her memory. Since both Jean and her mother were devoted to Mary an idea was born to build a "Grotto for Mary" in the garden of the church. The groundwork was started last October. Al received help from family members and started to sketch out ideas and model the structure out of styrofoam. Of course all of this planning came with blessings from the church but Al had to make many trips to the city planners to get permits. Months passed, Al drove back and forth many many times to the city building refining the design. He contacted family members to help him build the grotto.

The garden area was chosen.

Al was ever present and working to make this grotto perfect.

After a year of planning the grotto was finally started.

The Lady of Lourdes grotto was built in loving memory of Jeanette Simonetti. It was completed and dedicated on the grounds of St. Barnabas church on Sunday October 11, 2009.

Note: I did not have the good fortune of knowing Jean Simonetti. I attended her memorial service at St. Barnabas because she is the mother of my friend Nancy. But I felt like I had known her through stories Nancy had shared about her warm and loving Italian mother. At the service for Jean I was in awe of all that was told about Jean's life. She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren stood before the congregation telling heartwarming stories about their beloved "nonna" . I felt as though I had known Jeanette as they eulogized her and gave reflections on her life. She was "so italian" in her warmth, and generosity. She gave of her self to the family, to friends and to the church which she dearly loved. The church overflowed with people mourning her passing. So many heartfelt stories of Jeanette's wonderful ways, opening her home for big italian parties with lots of homecooked food and donating time, week upon week to volunteer for church functions. And then there were the most tender and endearing stories of the love between Jean and her dear husband Al, who adored her. I think this grotto is a fitting and beautiful tribute to a loving and generous woman who never stopped giving through out her entire life.

It is a sweet and enduring love story of Al and Jean Simonetti.

Wanting to Make These Moments Last

Image available on Etsy by Robert Ryan

in my sweetest memories

" I remember days that felt like it was raining daisies."

It's a Dog's Life

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

"Animals come into our lives as gifts from God, for companionship, to teach us, and to heal us. They deserve our very best efforts in caring for them"...Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM

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The Driver's Seat

Paris "Dior" Ad

"No one is in charge of your happiness but you."
-Regina Brett

Seal Beach California

November 1st this past Sunday...

If you're looking for a family friendly beach to visit, vacation, to shop, enjoy a beach, dine, watch a classic movie, fish on the pier, kitesurf or just hang out, by all means go to Seal Beach.

Old Town Seal Beach features shady, tree-lined Main Street, a beautiful beach and pier reminiscent of small town America during the mid-1900's.

This beach close to our home has a long pier where families can walk, fisherman can fish and everyone can enjoy views of the sand and surf as they stroll along the pier.

When our girls were little we used to bring them to the playground on the sand just to the side of the pier. On the last day of school in June it became a tradition for us to meet at this beach with all their friends and families for a "beginning of summer beach party." This is a place we often come to on summer nights to enjoy an ice cream and to feel the cool summer evening sea breeze.

Here's a photo of the far end of the beach near the jetty. At the end of the beach is a great little restaurant called "The River's End". It' fun to go there for breakfast or at sunset or just about any time. If you go try their fish tacos...mmmm they're delicious.

The weather is nice in southern California mostly all year long. These pictures were taken this past Sunday, the first day of November!

Here's my daughter Athena, the original water baby. On most weekends throughout the year you can find her at the local beach, surfing.

She has always loved living by the ocean.

Wonder what these fisherman caught?


Seal Beach provides access for boats and yachts entering the Pacific Ocean from Huntington Harbor. It is known as a great location for windsurfing and even has a kitesurfing launch area near the River's End Cafe.